Taylor Swift, the world’s highest grossing touring artist and newly minted billionaire pop icon, is giving some help to those that need it the most. Swift announced she is donating $5 million dollars to Feeding America and their disaster relief efforts to help those affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
“We’re incredibly grateful to Taylor Swift…this contribution will help communities rebuild and recover, providing essential food, clean water, and supplies to people affected by these devastating storms,” said Feeding America CEO Claire Babineax-Fontenot, in a statement on social media. “Together we can make a real impact in supporting families as they navigate these challenges ahead. Thank you, Taylor, for standing with us in the movement to end hunger and for helping communities in need.”
Swift is no stranger to philanthropy, as the artist has routinely given money and awareness to worthwhile causes. In March of 2020 she donated $1 million dollars to tornado relief efforts in Tennessee, and earlier this year she gave $100,000 to the family of Lisa Lopez-Galvan, who was killed in the Kansas City Chiefs victory parade mass shooting. Also, throughout her Eras Tour, Swift has donated massive amounts of money to food banks in cities hosting her concerts throughout the duration of the campaign. But this recent donation represents one of the larger contributions of her entire career.
Swift’s generous nature has been a hallmark of her public personality. She even gave massive bonuses to everyone working on her tour show, due to the overwhelming worldwide success it has received. Her enduring philanthropic spirit uplifts her fans and even those that only know her by name. When stars of her caliber and stature show that charity and giving back are important boxes to check, it has a ripple effect. Yes, Swift’s $5 million dollar donation will go a long way to aid those unfortunate victims caught in the path of the hurricane. But she has so many fans and followers, that this wonderful act of kindness is bound to inspire her legions of fans to seek out worthwhile causes of their own.
Not only is Taylor Swift directly helping those in need in their darkest times, but she is fostering a sense of giving and community responsibility. Swift has almost a half a billion Instagram followers. If only 2% of her fans are inspired to contribute in some way, her action and her voice will have a tremendous positive impact.